Interview with Leo and Rosalynd C. Pflaum, December 8, 1980

Partial Transcript: --ollowing is an unrehearsed interview with Leo Pflaum and Rosalynd Pflaum for the Robert Penn Warren Oral History Project.

Segment Synopsis: The Pflaums describe how they first met Robert Penn Warren while he was living in Minnesota. The chronology of their meeting is determined. The various places Warren lived in and around Minneapolis are discussed.

Keywords: Parties; Robert Penn Warren; Socializing; The University of Minnesota

Subjects: American literature--20th century; Friendship; Travel

Partial Transcript: And because Red was not interested in music particularly, but because Cinina was...

Segment Synopsis: The Pflaums discuss the musical background of Warren's wives. His first wife's childhood is also mentioned. Some of her relatives are talked about as well.

Keywords: Childhood; Conservatories; Divorces; Family; Music; Oglethorpe University; Robert Penn Warren; Youth

Subjects: American literature--20th century; Friendship; Music

Partial Transcript: Remember when we went to, uh, Sewanee?

Segment Synopsis: The Pflaums recall their visit to Sewanee University to see Robert Penn Warren being honored there. An instance where Hodding Carter stayed with the couple in Minnesota is described. The pair describe mutual friends who also knew Warren as well.

Keywords: All The King's Men (Book); Cleanth Brooks; Hodding Carter; John Palmer; Minnesota; Robert Penn Warren; Sewanee University; Social circles

Subjects: American literature--20th century; Friendship; Travel

Partial Transcript: Was Red, was Red as humorous as he usually is?

Segment Synopsis: The Pflaums tell of Warren's personality as they know it. The couple asks the interviewer if Warren has retained the same mannerisms as they remembered him to possess. Warren's treatment of his students is also explored.

Keywords: Humor; Robert Penn Warren; Students; The University of Minnesota

Subjects: American literature--20th century; Friendship; Professors; Storytelling

Partial Transcript: But Eleanor intimidated an awful lot of people and really, uh, did not want any connections with the past.

Segment Synopsis: The treatment of Warren's social circle by his second wife is mentioned. The mental health issues of the first wife and her interest in writing is touched on. Her role and influence on Warren's literature while they were married is discussed as well. An instance where the Pflaums visited the Warrens in New York is also recalled.

Keywords: All The King's Men (Book); Divorce; Eleanor Clark; Emma Brescia; Mental health; New York (N.Y.); Robert Penn Warren

Subjects: American literature--20th century; Friendship

Partial Transcript: Did you think of him more as a, uh, novelist than as a poet?

Segment Synopsis: The Pflaums chronicle how Warren was perceived in the Minnesotan community. It is found that he was mostly viewed as a professor and writer. The end of Warren's career at the University of Minnesota is discussed, as well as his departure to Yale.

Keywords: Eric Bentley; Intellectuals; Joseph Warren Beach; Minnesota; Robert Penn Warren; The University of Minnesota; Yale University

Subjects: American literature--20th century; Friendship; Plays; Professors

Partial Transcript: Well I think when he left here--and a, a couple of things, one was that, you know, his marriage was probably breaking up.

Segment Synopsis: The Pflaums recall Warren's life as they knew it once he left Minnesota. His divorce and remarriage is touched on. Warren's relationship with his children, and the Pflaums' own children (while still in Minnesota) is also mentioned. The various places Warren lived abroad are elaborated upon.

Keywords: Children; Family; Ireland; Italy; Mental health; Robert Penn Warren; Yale University

Subjects: American literature--20th century; Friendship; Travel